Match Report - Matt Cameron

A spirited Newmarket team visited Bury. It was agreed to split the game into three periods, to allow for changes.

As had been anticipated, Newmarket had a game plan developed around a number of key players, particularly members of their pack; unfortunately for them the early loss of one of their key backs amongst a few injuries resulted in a depleted opposition; it became clear that swapping a few players between the two teams would be important to allow a relatively competitive game throughout.

Newmarket started the game quite strongly, and an early score from Connor C following a kick return from Will C was the only real point of note. The tide did seem to start turning when Josh B made an excellent try saving tackle after a Newmarket surge led the visitors almost to the Bury line. Soon after that, a good tackle by Will S allowed Bury's free running backs to pass the ball well and put Connor through for his second try. Not content with that, Connor C promptly caught the restart kick and ran unopposed for his third score.

Bury were looking to run the ball well. Two tries followed from the backs, with Seb B and Will C both touching down. The first of these was straight from a pass from a scrum, the second when Seb B turned over a breakdown and fed Will C to run in.

At the start of the second period, Newmarket coaches were complimentary about the running angles the Bury backs were taking. One such straight line run beat the gainline, and following a quick ruck the ball was released for Will S to score.

Bury pressure at a ruck led to a turnover from which Seb B fed Lewis P to run in to score.

Changes were made for the third period, the consequences of which were immediate. Newmarket were able to run from deep in the backs, and scored thrice, to leave the score at the end of the second period 40 - 15.

The third period saw continued work from Bury, with notable efforts from the forwards. Archie C and Adam H-H put in good runs before Josh B scored.

Newmarket - ably assisted by their green and gold contingent - were able to run through several tries. However Bury were not going to let their lead slip, and a run from the home side led to Rhys scoring. The final scorer of the day was Jack, whose efforts during the game were eventually rewarded.

While the stronger attack to the end of the game showed work still needs to be done on strong rucking and tackling techniques, it was good to see an open running game.

More importantly it was excellent to watch a match played in the true spirit of rugby. The Newmarket coaches - and no doubt their team - were appreciative that players were swapped in the interests of a real contest.

For the record the final score was 60 - 40 to Bury St Edmunds